Understanding the International Baccalaureate Programme

1. What is IB?

2. IB mission statement IB learner profile Programme standards and practices MYP DP PYP MYP DP Lakeland Elementary Humble High School Ross Sterling MS and Humble HS What is IB? • The International Baccalaureate is an organization dedicated to high quality education throughout the world. • It is comprised of three programs – the Primary Years Program (PYP), the Middle Years Program (MYP), and the Diploma Program (DP).

3. Mission Statement The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end, the IB works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

4. Learner Profile • The attributes and descriptors of the learner profile define the type of learner the IB hopes to develop through its programmes. It originated in the PYP where it was called the “PYP student profile”, but practitioners from all three programmes identified it as a set of qualities that could also enhance learning in the MYP and the Diploma Programme—learning that should not come to a stop at the age of 11, but should carry through to the completion of the Diploma Programme. It is now called the “IB learner profile” to make it applicable to all students and adults involved in the implementation of IB programmes, that is, to the IB community of learners.

5. Program Models • The IB Diploma Programme (DP) is an academically challenging and balanced programme of education with final examinations that prepares students, aged 16 to 19, for success at university and life beyond. It has been designed to address the intellectual, social, emotional and physical well-being of students. The programme, has gained recognition and respect from the world’s leading universities.

6. What is IBDP? • IBDP is an internationally focused college-level program comprised of six mandatory fields of study: • Equivalent programs of study: • A full course load of AP classes • About 5 British A-levels

7. What is IBDP? • The outer part of the circle represents the required classes (top to bottom): • 1 – Language & Literature • 2 – Language Acquisition • 3 – Individuals & Societies • 4 – Sciences • 5 – Mathematics • 6 – The Arts

8. What is IBDP? • The next part of the circle represents the three core components: • 1 – Theory of Knowledge • 2 – Extended Essay • 3 – Creativity, Action, Service

9. The Center of the Circle • The very center represents the Learner. • IB pushes a holistic view of education – that education isn’t just about the attainment of knowledge, but at producing successful individuals and lifelong learners. • The IB students are: • Inquirers • Knowledgeable • Thinkers • Communicators • Principled • Open-Minded • Caring • Risk-takers • Balanced • Reflective

10. The Inner Circle • 1 – Theory of Knowledge (TOK) is a required class in the branch of philosophy called epistemology – How do we know what we know? • 2 – The Extended Essay (EE) is a required undergraduate level thesis paper written on any topic of the author’s choosing. • 3 – Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) is analogous to NHS points: to become a well rounded person, you must partake in a variety of activities.

11. The Outer Circle • 1 – IB English incorporates the elements of a World Literature class without forgetting the classics. • 2 – Foreign Language is required. We offer French and Spanish. By learning another language, you gain insight into your own, and after all, the limits of your language are the limits of your world. • 3 – History of the Americas covers not only U.S. History, but also South America, Canada, and the Caribbean, Government, and Economics over two years.

12. The Outer Circle (cont…) • 4 – Science must also be taken at IB level. Throughout the 2 years you will be required to design and implement your own labs. • 5 – Mathematics covers pieces from every domain: algebra, trigonometry, calculus, statistics, and geometry without sacrificing depth of study. • 6 – The Fine Arts are also required. Even if you don’t play an instrument or are not good at art, you can still excel at these classes. You can also, if necessary, substitute another class from groups 2, 3 or 4.

13. IB Classes – HL and SL • HL and SL classes mean Higher Level and Standard Level. • Both levels of classes are generally two year courses. • Every student must take 3 HL classes (and sometimes 4 can be taken.) • The HL/SL difference is essentially the same as an on-level who takes honors classes he/she is strong in or an Honors student who takes AP classes he/she is strong in. However, SL courses are still college-level.

14. Why all this work? • IB requires classes in every subject for one reason – to allow a student to excel in subjects he/she is good at and to strengthen classes the student may be weak in. • You cannot just take one or two classes for the Diploma for this reason. • On the other hand, achieving the IB Diploma not only means the student has excelled in school but also that he/she has excelled in ALL areas of study.

15. What’s in it for me? • IB classes are considered equivalent to AP on your GPA. Therefore, both classes are weighted. • As a college level program, students with the IB Diploma can be awarded college credit – varying from college to college, of course. • The amount of credit depends on the obtainment of the Diploma and the individual exam scores. On a class-to-class basis, colleges generally accept a 4 (out of 7) and up for college credit. • In addition to gaining college credit (up to two years) your credit will also transfer across national boundaries – and not just to Canada.

16. Getting the Diploma • Just as in AP, taking the course does not mean you get the credit. And getting a good score does not guarantee the Diploma. • In order to get the Diploma, a student must reach a total of 24/45 points on his/her exams to even qualify. • Each exam is graded on a 1-7 scale. With an additional 3 points coming from the inside of the hexagon. This comes to a total of 42 + 3 for a perfect score of 45.

17. Getting the Diploma - Exams • IB exams are not just a test at the end of the year. Many examinations are done within the school year. • However, you still take end-of year IB exams. Anywhere from 2-4 exams at the completion of each class. • On these exams, a 3 out of 7 is considered passing. • Note, however, that six 3’s will not grant you the diploma. Students who are awarded the Diploma do not do so by barely scraping by in their classes.

18. Is IB right for me? • IB is not right for everyone. Some students do better in AP than in IB. IB, unfortunately, is only offered at HHS. Transportation may be an issue, but buses are provided. • IB does attract certain types of students, however: • Those willing to explore different ideas and cultures • Those that are highly motivated and self-driven • Those that prefer a holistic education • And those that like to be challenged – even in courses they’re not “good” at.

19. Further Information • If you are interested in the IB Diploma Program, or think that it is the program for you, you can find information on the IB website at www.ibo.org or you can check out the Humble HS IBDP website at www.humbleisd.net/hhs/ib. • Those who desire a more in-depth discussion on what the classes and school life are like, are encouraged to set up a meeting with the IB Diploma Coordinator. You can even shadow an IB Diploma student for a day! • Any questions can be emailed to Amanda.Petree@humble.k12.tx.us (IBDP Coordinator)